Every experienced cultivator, particularly those practicing the Art of Rizz, when on the path to perceiving the way of Gigachad, knows that at a crucial point in their development, one needs Divine inspiration in order to transcend to the next level.
Indeed, the Heavens must ascertain whether one is worthy to be given further opportunities, and accordingly tests the applicants with a trial from Heaven itself - the Thunder Tribulations.
Bob had been at the bottleneck D++++++ stage for quite some time, and with the Ice blade penetrating his Rizz Core, it seemed that the Storm had come at the worst time.
In fact, Old Man Li had known that his disciple was on the verge of breaking through to C++++++ grade, and had deliberately dawdled in order to seize the chance for Bob to experience the Thunder Tribulations in a safe environment.
Of course ARSES, not being called Elites for nothing, had struck at the perfect time, countering this opportunity when Bob was in a precarious state.
But Old Man Li knew that energy is energy. If it were possible for Bob to survive, and transcend, he just may reap additional benefits.
He just had to play his part as the master.
Whipping out a broom, he began to sweep up the skittles, and put the broken rice wine on his tab.
With the store spotless, he glanced at the motionless Bob, sprawled on the asphalt surrounded by chunks of bread and lettuce, and looked to the heavens as the storm and lightning began to strike.
Liquor guy looked at Old Man Li doubtfully.
"Will he be all right?"
Old Man Li adopted a tranquil and masterful air, replete with a slow and graceful wave of his soiled bathrobes, looking pensively at what appeared to be an arbitrarily chosen spot in the distant horizon, and yet one possibly full of a deeper meaning.
"We've done all we can."
"The rest is up to the boy, and his own abilities."
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Disclaimer: Thunder tribulation is just a cliché cultivational novel fictional technique. Do not try at home!!!
As the lightning crackled down, Bob was suffused with a searing pain.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!"
He grit his teeth and endured.
In his body were two competing forces.
The liquid Anti-Rizz and the embedded Ice Blade was like a cold poison, filling him with negative emotions like apathy, sloth and indifference.
And yet, his Rizz Core was shining brightly, fighting back against this foreign invasion.
At the same time the lightning filled his body with energy, and accordingly, the tribulation became a battle between the two sides of fire and ice, each seeking to assimilate the lightning energy to augment their own abilities.
In the end, it was a matter of the heart.
Bob had never had any other goal in life other than when he awoke and decided to become a genetic success, and these two energies both offered him a way to do it.
On one hand Anti-Rizz essentially placed yourself on a pedestal, presuming that your own innate value was enough, and that potential suitors either had to get to your level, or get out, whereas Rizz instead took a proactive approach, aiming to empower all those around them to become the best they could be.
For Bob, born in the suburbs to an average low income family, Anti-Rizz had never been an option, but recently, with his increasing success, leadership positions, influence, the temptation to turn to the Anti-Rizz better-than-thou faction had opened.
And yet!
Bob was not swayed.
"Strength is not enough. He murmured. Money… also…
He recounted Jacob, eating his chips. He had gone from chip eater to hero.
Goku Matsura… a shy young boy had transformed into a leader amongst men.
Roger… had recently celebrated his brother giving birth to a baby, and started filming his own cooking show.
As the lightning coursed through his body, bringing him significant pain, he grit his teeth and began to believe, and the lightning heeding his intention began to flow towards his Rizz Core.
Money… is also not enough.
He remembered the Image of Old Man Li thrusting the M and Ms into the air.
Whole package… Bob murmured.
That was right. In order to become a genetic success, not only strength…
Not only money…
The M and Ms scattering alongside images of cash raining down, and the muscular man began to blur rapidly into a montage of one.
His eyes opened with a Rizzian light, as the lightning coursed through his Core, fully converted into Pure Rizz energy.
At the same time, the Ice blade melted into nothingness and the AR liquid was scorched into oblivion.
On the Side Old Man Li gave a smile of delight.
C+++++++ Rizz core!!!!!
Bob had successfully transcended his D++++++ genetic state.
Bob opened his golden eyes armed with his Enlightenment.
Strength was not enough.
Money was not enough.
Even Rizz was not enough.
Instead Bob had to become The Whole Package.
Only then would he have the qualifications to optimize his chances to become a genetic success.
Bob
Rizz: 29579
Strength: 17967
Intelligence: 23867
Genetic Calibre: C+++++++ (exceptional quality)
Bob strode forward with dazzling purpose, while Old Man Li and liquor guy looked on with unreadable expressions.